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Cyclone Inigo on April 5

Cyclone Inigo is tied for the most intense cyclone in the Australian cyclone region on record. It developed from a tropical disturbance that crossed eastern Indonesia in late March 2003. Becoming a named tropical cyclone on April 1, Inigo rapidly intensified as it tracked southwestward, reaching a minimum central pressure of 900 hPa on April 4. An approaching trough weakened the cyclone and turned it to the southeast, and on April 8 Inigo dissipated after making landfall on Western Australia as a minimal tropical storm.

The precursor disturbance dropped heavy rainfall across eastern Indonesia, causing widespread flooding and mudslides. The worst of the damage was on Flores island, though damage was also reported on West Timor and Sumba. The flooding and mudslides damage or destroyed thousands of houses, forcing many to leave their homes. A total of 58 casualties were reported in association with the disturbance. In Australia, Inigo produced locally heavy rainfall, but little damage.

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